Mi-gyaung (crocodile zither)
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, paint, string
Place of origin
Myanmar (Burma)
Order this imageCollection
Arlington Court, Devon
NT 987379
Summary
A mi-gyaung ('crocodile-zither'), Myanmar (Burma), probably late 19th century. A wooden zither in the shape of a crocodile, known as a mi-gyaung, with blue, red and gilt painted decoration, made in Myanmar (then Burma). Across the top central section of the zither, stretched from head to tail, were previously installed the strings and frets (one string extant). One of three metal alloy tuning pegs extant through the tail. The zither painted with a stylised crocodile head bearing teeth through the snout and with four carved feet. Mi-gyaung are traditionally associated with the Mon people of Myanmar.